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While the perception was that merging WWE and UFC under one umbrella would lead to even greater growth for both companies, more evidence continued to emerge regarding their negative impact on their parent company’s products.

There is a surprising amount of crossover between WWE and UFC. Many fans of both brands watch both products. Many wrestlers have tried their hand at mixed martial arts, and several former UFC stars have made the move to pro wrestling.

That’s why when the two global giants merged and went public under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings in 2023, it seemed like a perfect business match. However, while the companies are again posting strong numbers in 2026, there are also clear signs that TKO’s interference and some of the strategies instituted by the parent company are hurting WWE and UFC’s potential.

Over the past few years, WWE fans have become frustrated with TKO decision makers like CEO Ari Emmanuel meddling in the company’s creative process.

Emanuel has been supportive of board member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s inconsistent and confusing appearances on WWE content in 2024 and 2025. He was reportedly the one behind using Travis Scott in the lead up to WrestleMania 41, then the rapper dropped out and was never seen again. And this year, he is reportedly the driving force as to why Pat McAfee was included in the main event storyline of Night 1 WrestleMania between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

WrestleMania 42 ticket sales still lag behind last year’s event

However, the biggest disappointment for WWE since the merger has been the company’s pricing of tickets and merchandise. This is actually an initiative from TKO, and it’s going to have a huge impact on the biggest event of the year.

There have been reports for weeks about slow sales for this month’s WrestleMania 42 card. Well, with the event taking place this weekend, it looks like it will be a significantly weaker performance than last year’s show in the same building. According to the This year there are 45,767 seats in the fray.

However, last year in the same building, there were a sellout of 58,538 for Night 1 and 60,103 for Night 2. This is a big difference despite there being a better card at this year’s event. It seems like holding the event in Las Vegas for the second year in a row was a terrible idea, and the cost makes it much less attractive to people in the area this time.

UFC 327 grosses half of previous events in Miami?

Still, WWE isn’t the only country to be affected by the negative impact of TKO. UFC fans have become angry at how poor the events have become as the promotion features cards almost every weekend. Moreover, the talent pool in the company has also reduced.

A big reason for the lack of star power in the UFC is the company’s move away from pay-per-view to its $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount. Their business model for 20 years was built on PPVs and giving points upon purchases to top fighters. Since there is no longer any option, the company is not willing to pay the same rates for specific stars.

This is why Jon Jones is not going to return to the company. Conor McGregor still doesn’t have a fight scheduled for 2026, and Ronda Rousey is making her MMA comeback on Netflix for the most valuable promotion instead of inside the Octagon.

Well, it seems like the changes made by the TKO merger have caused the UFC’s weaker product to cause fans in Florida to lose interest in spending big bucks to go to an event in person. According to X Account MMA Joy, the gate for last weekend’s UFC 327 at Miami’s Kasia Center was $6.5 million.

The promotion reportedly made more than $11 million for UFC 314, $12 million for UFC 287 and $14 million for UFC 299 at the same venue. So the fallout from UFC 327 this year was massive.

This week brought two more big pieces of evidence that TKO remains bad for WWE and the UFC.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE has gone back to the drawing board on parts of its SmackDown creative after negative reaction to Pat McAfee’s involvement in the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton storyline. The changes have been made in real time, with the company reevaluating its direction for the storyline, while McAfee is confirmed for this week’s SmackDown in San Jose.

The report states that additional outside partnerships were discussed as part of the original plans, including celebrity names like Jelly Roll, but those ideas are now part of a broader rethink currently underway. WWE is said to be actively assessing any possibilities for how the storyline progresses leading up to WrestleMania 42.

One of the more telling things about the report is how quickly the change happened. Sources told Fightful that CM Punk’s comments on Monday’s Raw reflected the new creative direction and were not part of the plan for Friday, when McAfee was revealed as Orton’s ally on SmackDown.

That timeline shows that WWE creative has been operating in reactive mode all week, adjusting to audience reaction and recalibrating on the fly rather than executing a lock-in plan.

With less than two weeks to go until WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19, the speed at which WWE is ready to move forward with its plans for one of the event’s premier matches is remarkable. Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Orton on the card, and how the storyline resolves between now and then will be significantly shaped by whatever direction SmackDown takes this week.

It has been reported that the idea of ​​bringing Pat McAfee back to the company and teaming up with Orton came from TKO, possibly also from TKO President Ari Emanuel. This was not part of what WWE creative had originally planned for the feud.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has found himself under scrutiny again, now drawing criticism from Argentina after his scathing post-match comments during the international break.

The Aston Villa number 1 remains a central figure for both club and country. However, his words have sparked debate after Argentina’s recent 2-1 win over Mauritania. We covered those comments earlierWhere Martínez openly questioned his team’s performance, and the response has now come swiftly.

According to local journalist Horacio PaganiThe goalkeeper went too far.

Strong reaction from Argentinian media

Speaking live on TV, Pagani did not hold back in assessing Emiliano Martínez’s comments.

“His statements were completely disorganized, seriously compromising his colleagues,” He said. “If the goalkeeper says ‘we didn’t play well, the team didn’t work’, that’s one thing. But if he says ‘there was no blood in the team, no intensity’…”

Pagani’s point focuses on tone and impact. In his view, Martínez’s choice of words placed unnecessary pressure on the team, especially as Argentina still won.

The criticism follows the Aston Villa player’s own strong statements after the match. The goalkeeper described it this way “One of the worst games we’ve played” And warned that if Argentina performed like this in a big match, it would lose.

The context behind Martinez’s comments

Emiliano Martínez has built a reputation as an assertive leader. This has often worked in his favor at both Aston Villa and Argentina.

This season, he has again been a key player for Villa. According to FBRef data, with a strong save percentage and consistent minutes played, he is one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers.

Yet their role also brings responsibility. As a senior figure, his words carry significance beyond the dressing room.

Argentina is preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which has further increased tensions. With another friendly match scheduled against Zambia, scrutiny will remain high.

What does this mean for Aston Villa

But this situation is certainly unlikely to become a major issue for Aston Villa. Martínez has long been outspoken, and Unai Emery has consistently supported his leadership.

However, this episode highlights the fine balance he must manage. Their integrity is valued, yet public criticism from teammates can quickly become a distraction.

Villa will hope the focus returns to their performances. On the field, he remains one of their most important players.

Tottenham Hotspur star Dejan Kulusevski has not played for the Premier League team this season due to a long-term injury.

He suffered a knee injury in May 2025, causing him to miss Spurs’ Europa League final victory over Manchester United.

Due to injury, the Tottenham player will miss Sweden’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine later this month. Sweden manager Graham Potter has left him out of the squad for the upcoming international break, having thought he would be available much sooner.

The 25-year-old last made an appearance for the north London club in a 2-0 league defeat to Crystal Palace on May 11 last year. He suffered an injury and was replaced by Mickey Moore in the 19th minute.

Timeline of the Tottenham star’s recovery process

Three days after the injury, Spurs confirmed that he had undergone successful surgery. Later that day, Anze Postecoglou, who was in charge of the club at the time, said that he would be out for “at least a few months”.

In August, reports stated that he would not return until the end of that year. On September 9, Kulusevski got His “rehabilitation is going well” and he predicted a return to the field in the “very, very near future”.

• On 1 October, John Dahl Tomasson, who was the national team manager at the time, Spurs attacker explained He is in “a different phase of his rehabilitation”. Later that month, Sweden dismissed him and appointed Potter as his successor.
• Former Chelsea on 20 November the manager pointed out Kulusevski could return “around the New Year.”
• A month later, Potter was confident His players returned for the March international break, but optimism vanished in February. the coach accepted “It will be tough to get back in March.”

Earlier today, Potter announced his squad for the upcoming international break. After this he spoke to the media and soccer channel Has released his comments.

As well as the 25-year-old, Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is also a big miss for Sweden.

On the absence of both, he said: “Alexander Isak has made a lot of progress and is on the field. But the games are coming very quickly. Dejan is progressing but not as fast as we would like.”

What happened since Kulusevski played for Spurs?

There have been many developments at both the English club and national team since Dejan Kulusevski last arrived.

On May 21, 2025, Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1–0 to win the Europa League and secure a place in the Champions League. On 6 June, Tottenham parted ways with Anze Postecoglou, the manager who had helped them win the trophy.

Thomas Frank’s appointment was confirmed a few days later. In September of that year, Daniel Levy resigned as club president. A month later, Fabio Paratici returned, leaving him for Fiorentina in February.

Frank was dismissed on 11 February and Spurs appointed Igor Tudor until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Sweden struggled in World Cup qualifiers and were dismissed [first time in their history] Tomasson. The national team appointed Potter in his place.

To recap, Kulusevski has yet to play under Tudor and Potter at Tottenham and Sweden respectively.

🇺🇾Rodrigo Bentancur | Detailed information on Tottenham return

🔥Player’s fitness trainer gives update
📅 Full training + return to sport timeline
‼️ Whisper it… but it could be positive Spurs news 👇https://t.co/BxZb214aw8 #thfc #Happiness

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 13 March 2026